HOUSTON — Travel expert, Jeanne Polocheck, always recommends to carefully pick a destination that's new to both of the newlyweds – and one that they will go back to celebrate anniversaries, perhaps take their kids when they're older, so their honeymoon becomes a lifelong memory that can be shared.
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TOP 5 HONEYMOON DESTINATIONS:
ST BARTHELEMY
A beach honeymoon doesn't get more chic and fun than on this tiny island favorite of celebrities – it feels like St Tropez, without the long flight. There are no big branded hotels here on purpose, the development of the island has been expertly managed since the 1960s to allow luxury boutique hotels with less than 25 rooms to create the "flip flop luxury" feel. Incredible restaurants helmed by Michelin starred chefs and buzzy beach clubs make the perfect 2 p.m. stop for late lunches, champagne and sunshine and the tiny size of the island means you can explore all the gorgeous beaches by Jeep or Moke easily.
AFRICA
The South African safaris they plan include stops in beachy Cape Town for penguins and surfing with the locals, then off to the Winelands for wine tasting for a few days, followed by game drives in Kruger National Park.
East African safaris to Kenya and Tanzania have a different feel – more open Savannah plains. Game drives searching for "the five" by day, sleeping in romantic luxury tented camps by night, and a bucket list experience - meeting the Maasai tribes that still live in simple villages in the Maasai Mara and Serengeti plains. The camps we use are five star – king size beds, hardwood floors, chandeliers, big copper bathtubs, and hard canvas walls that can be completely sealed or left open to screens so you can hear the animals at night in complete safety of Maasai guards who keep the animals at a distance. Breakfast, lunches and dinners are culinary meals created by on site chefs in the camps, dinner in the bush by lantern. And you can't miss having a "sundowner", when your guides set up happy hour after a game drive on a beautiful ridge to watch the sunset over gin and tonics – an epic experience made even better with your sweetheart.
ITALY
For romance and diversity of activities, you can't go wrong with a honeymoon in Italy. The history, culture and culinary appeal make for perfect places to wander the streets, gelato in hand, canoodling with your love.
Lake Como and the Amalfi coast are romantic, luxury destinations where the stunning hotels are a splurge and worth every penny. Incredible former Italian Villas are hot hotels, perched on cliffs dangling over the Alpine Lake or the Mediterranean, bougainvillea lounging around, competing with lemon trees and hummingbirds, for your attention – it feels like you are truly living La Dolce Vita. There's not much to do other than relax and swoon at the lake or the coastline, gaze at each other, and enjoy the incredible food and wine.
TAHITI
The legendary over water bungalows on Bora Bora and Moorea are what honeymoon dreams are made of! French Polynesia's islands are just a 7 hour non-stop flight from LA or a connecting flight from Houston, Dallas or Austin. All flights land on the main island of Tahiti, but you'll want to island hop to get to the luxury huts over crystal clear water. The travel team usually plan Tahitian honeymoons with a mix of 2-3 islands so you can hike the lush hills of Moorea for active adventure and fun food tours, then chill on Bora Bora or T'ahaa for a few days. Tahiti is the ultimate in relaxation, with water sports like jet skis, kayaking, and snorkeling mixed in between naps and dips in your personal plunge pool or the clear ocean at your feet.
PARIS & PROVENCE
Paris is one of the most romantic places in the world, and when we combine it with the south of France, couples can enjoy both the sparkling sites of the city and the relaxed vibe in Provence and the Cote D'Azur cities of Cannes, Nice or Antibes. The travel team always plan a few nights in Paris to enjoy the city sites like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, the French's favorite pastime of people watching in a cafe, perhaps a day trip to bubbly fun in Champagne. Then you go down to the south where Provence's famous villages welcome visitors with weekly farmers markets, historic cobblestones streets, beautiful turquoise beaches and incredible food and wine. Strolling the streets, hand in hand is classic French Joie de Vivre!